Background Have you ever signed a contract which seemed to be perfectly clear, straightforward and reasonable at the time it was agreed, but which later turned out to be ambiguous in important respects or which gave rise to unintended and arguably unfair results? If so, you are not alone. Indeed, in our experience, many construction…
Background Even the most promising development can be knocked off course if the land is subject to a restrictive covenant. Restrictions of this sort can prevent land being built on or being used for specific purposes for many years, even if the development has planning permission. Restrictive covenants can cause big problems for developers, causing…
The recent case of Holland v Oxford City Council considered an age-old question: is land held under a lease or licence? The distinction is important as it affects an occupier’s rights to enjoy and remain on the land. What was unusual about this case is that it related to pitches at a fun fair. We…
Pokémon Go has caused headlines around the world since the augmented reality game was launched in the summer. Most have not been positive. A woman in the US is reported to have found a dead body while playing the game. Players have been lured to remote places and robbed of their phones, in one case…
How does a landlord evict a tenant from a residential property if the tenant refuses to move out after being served with the required notice? In a nutshell, the landlord needs to apply to court. But courts tend to be tenant friendly and this can be a frustrating experience for landlords. Most residential properties are…
A question we are often asked is what a commercial landlord’s legal responsibilities are on the grant of a new lease? As a general rule, this depends on the terms of the lease. Having said that, there are laws that a landlord needs to be aware of when renting out commercial premises, many of which…
